Pete Alonso
Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso officially donated the custom 9/11 cleats to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum on Tuesday.

This week, Pete Alonso took the next step in his commemoration toward the first responders and victims of 9/11. The New York Mets first baseman officially donated his custom, game-worn 9/11 cleats to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Alonso originally customized and organized the cleat order for the team.

After the official donation, Alonso was able to speak with Eamon McAnaney of SNY about what this act truly represents.

“It means the world,” Alonso said of his cleats now being displayed in the museum. “At first I thought I was just designing a cleat as a gift for my teammates and to recognize people who were impacted on 9/11. I was just trying to do a nice thing for my teammates and to show respect. The fact that it went this far to be displayed in the museum. I never thought that it would be on display for pretty much the world to see.

The MLB actually considered punishing the Mets for wearing the custom cleats without their permission. However, they decided not to hold the Mets accountable in any way, which was the morally-correct move.

Alonso was nothing short of a sensation for the Mets this season. His 53 home runs not only led the major leagues but also broke the single-season rookie record. Alonso also broke the Mets’ franchise record for single-season home runs.

The rookie appears to be the new face of the organization going forward.

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Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.